Norwegian organization HEROIC found itself at the center of a firestorm this week after a post on X (formerly Twitter) used a sexualized photo of actress Sydney Sweeney to mock Saudi-backed Team Falcons. The now-infamous post placed the Team Falcons logo next to a picture of Sweeney with the caption “t*ts or a**,” a move that was widely condemned as sexist and tone-deaf. The backlash was swift, as detailed in the original report.
What Happened
The post, which has since been deleted, was clearly intended as competitive banter between two prominent esports organizations. But instead of a clever jab, it came off as a crass attempt at humor that reduces women to body parts. In an industry that still struggles with inclusivity, using a sexualized image as a punchline—especially one unrelated to gaming—struck many as a step backward. The reaction was immediate, with fans, analysts, and fellow orgs calling out HEROIC for crossing a line. For more context, GamerHeadlines has also covered League of Legends Team Builder Live Beta launches in North America (first impression and pictures) Esports News League of Legends.
The Real Damage
This isn’t just about a single tasteless tweet. It’s a reminder that esports still has a long way to go when it comes to respecting women. The comparison implicitly devalues female athletes and fans, reinforcing a boys’-club mentality that has long pushed women out of competitive spaces. When a top-tier organization like HEROIC—known for its competitive success in Counter-Strike—engages in this kind of behavior, it signals to women that they are still not welcome. For more context, GamerHeadlines has also covered Call of Duty: Strike Team will be Dissolved by the End of this Month Esports News Call of Duty.
Why ESL Impact Matters
The caption of the Esports Insider article says it all: “This is why we needed ESL Impact.” For those unfamiliar, ESL Impact is a women’s CS league designed to provide a safe and competitive environment for female players. It exists precisely because incidents like this are still all too common. HEROIC’s post underlines the exact kind of casual sexism that makes such leagues necessary. While the org later apologized, the damage was done—and it serves as a powerful example of why the industry still needs dedicated spaces and initiatives to foster respect and equality.
GamerHeadlines Takeaway
HEROIC’s misstep is more than a PR gaffe; it’s a symptom of a deeper cultural problem. Esports has grown massively, but maturity hasn’t always kept pace. Until organizations learn that trash talk doesn’t have to demean entire genders, moments like this will continue to alienate the very fans and players the scene needs to thrive. The silver lining? The swift and vocal pushback shows that many are ready to demand better.
